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Greenberg Notes 1 (AT2)
Audio Tech 2
70
Music
Undergraduate 1
04/05/2012

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Cards

Term
What is digital audio?
Definition
Sound that has been converted into binary code, a mathematical code.
Term
What is signal?
Definition
Sound in electrical form.
Term
What is analog?
Definition
Same as or like the original.
Term
What does a signal processor do?
Definition
It changes or modifies a signal.
Term
What is signal flow?
Definition
The path a signal takes from its source to its destination.
Term
What is dynamic range?
Definition
Signal or volume level between minimum and maximum.
Term
What is distortion?
Definition
The appearance of something added to the reproduced audio signal that wasn't in the original.
Term
Explain noise.
Definition
Unwanted signal or noise.
Term
Explain the difference between a balanced line and an unbalanced line.
Definition
A balanced line carries an audio signal with three wires, hot, cold, and ground.
An unbalanced line carries an audio signal with two wire, hot and cold.
Term
Headphones use two __________ lines with a ________ connector.
Definition
Headphones use two unbalanced lines with a(n) balanced connector.
Term
How many conductors is a TRS?
Definition
It has three conductors.
Term
What are S/PDIF connectors?
Definition
RCA/Phono Connectors (Red and White).
Term
Digital and analog are both _______?
Definition
Digital and analog are both electricity.
Term
List mic, line, and speaker from weakest to greatest.
Definition
Mic (unpowered), line (unpowered), and speaker (powered).
Term
Describe a speakon connector.
Definition
They're used for speakers only, locks in, idiot proof, carries speaker level.
Term
What does MIDI do?
Definition
It transmits performance data, it uses only 3 of its 5 pins, 1 MHz power.
Term
What is impedance?
Definition
Resistance on an electrical circuit.
Term
How many Ω does professional audio run at?
Definition
600 Ω (mic level).
Term
Electric guitars run at how many Ω?
Definition
8K - 10K Ω.
Term
What does pad do?
Definition
It cuts a signal by X amount of dBs, used when a signal's peaking at the gain's lowest level to turn it back up.
Term
What is frequency ground hum?
Definition
60 Ω, 120 V ('Murica).
Term
1/4” unbalanced → DI →__________?
Definition
1/4” unbalanced → DI →XLR (Balanced)
Term
Thru on a DI is like a send for an amp, parallel to XLR.
Definition
Jah.
Term
List four things a DI box does.
Definition
Sends parallel 1/4” unbalanced from thru.
Converts 8K - 10K Ω to 600 Ω.
Pad
Ground Lift (Frequency Ground Hum)
Term
List two things a transformer does that a DI box can't do.
Definition
It converts an alternating current to a direct current.
It increases or decreases voltage.
Term
What is a wall wart?
Definition
A transformer (power block thing on a charger or cable).
Term
Analog line is how many Ω?
Definition
Analog line is 4K - 6K Ω.
Term
Describe AES/EBU digital cord thing.
Definition
It looks like an XLR but says digital on it, sends two channels of digital audio, 110 Ω.
Term
List the two characters in digital audio.
Definition
0, 1.
Term
Digital audio is sent in what kind of wave?
Definition
Square wave.
Term
Is RCA consumer or professional?
Definition
RCA is consumer, it runs at -10 DBV, B&C (video).
Term
0 on the VU meter is #V?
Is it professional or consumer?
Definition
0 VU = 4V
Professional.
Term
S/PDIF runs at how many Ω?
Definition
75 Ω, stereo.
Term
Describe Adat Lightpipe.
Definition
It's hollow, shoots a laser, two channels of digital audio.
Term
Describe a spade lug.
Definition
Screw in, vintage, has hot, cold, and ground (three separate wires).
Term
What is TT? Balanced or unbalanced? How many Ω?
Definition
Tiny Telephone. Balanced. 600 Ω.
Term
Digital - 110 Ω
Analog - 600 Ω
Definition
I think.
Term
What is a potentiometer?
Definition
A variable resistor that controls the flow of electricity from minimum to maximum.
Term
List the three systems. What do they do?
Definition
Input - Mic→Line, Line→Line (adjusted).

Output - Buss (Signal combiner and transporter).

Monitor - Controls the output of the headphones and speaker, independent from the output system.
Term
What is pan pot?
Definition
Panoramic potentiometer, it controls the flow of electricity or signal between the left and right buss outputs.
Term
What does a transducer do?
Definition
It changes one form of energy into another.
Term
What is sound caused by?
Definition
Vibrations, the displacement of air molecules.
Term
What does the console transduce?
Definition
Pizza.
Term
Microphones and speakers are double transducers.
Definition
Tru' dat.
Term
What are the three main types of microphones?
Definition
Moving coil, ribbon, and condenser.
Term
What is a moving coil mic?
Definition
A dynamic and ribbon mic. It uses a magnet to create electricity.
Term
What is phase?
Definition
The time relationship between two or more sound waves or signals at a given point in their cycle.
Term
Explain timbre.
Definition
A sound’s individual unique tonal characteristic.

Fundamentals - The lowest pitch.
Harmonics - Exact multiples.
Overtones (Colortones) - Odd numbered, non-exact multiples.
Term
The higher the frequency, the higher the _______ and _______ the sound wave.
The lower the frequency, the lower the _______ and _______ the sound wave.
Definition
The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch and shorter the sound wave.
The lower the frequency, the lower the pitch and longer the sound wave.
Term
Describe the Fletcher-Munson Equal Loudness Principal.
Definition
Humans hear mid range frequencies louder than low and hi frequencies.
Term
What is direct sound?
Definition
Sound that travels directly from its source to its listener's ear without reflection or obstruction.
Term
What are early reflections?
Definition
Sound waves that bounce off the primary boundaries of a room (walls, floor, and ceiling).
Term
Explain echo.
Definition
The noticeable repeat of direct sound.
Term
Explain reverb.
Definition
Random, blended, multiple echoes.
Term
Explain standing waves.
Definition
Sound waves crashing into each other due to parallel surfaces.
Term
Explain consumer analog.
Definition
RCA/Phono Plugs which are 4K - 6K Ω.
Term
Is -10 DBV consumer or professional?
Definition
Consumer.
Term
What are the three types of balanced TRS cables?
Definition
1/4", 1/8", TT.
Term
Is a guitar cable balanced or unbalanced?
Definition
Unbalanced, TS.
Term
Describe S/PDIF.
Definition
RCA/Phono plugs, 75 Ω.
Term
What is found near a preamp?
Definition
Gain, Phase Reverse, 48V, Pad, Hi Pass.
Term
List four speaker connectors.
Definition
Speakon
Banana plug
1/4" unbalanced.
Spade Lug
Term
Transformers have what kind of rod with what type of material wrapped around it?
Definition
Transformers have iron rods with iron wire wrapped around it.
Term
Speakers usually run at how many Ω?
Definition
4 Ω, 8 Ω, or 16 Ω.
Term
What is an insert?
Definition
An access point, in/out, for a channel or a buss.
Term
What is a track?
Definition
A place where signal is recorded and stored.
Term
What does attenuate mean?
Definition
To cut the level of.
Term
What is a channel?
Definition
A strip on a board that signal goes through.
Term
List four things associated with spatial localization/binaural hearing.
Definition
One ear picks up a sound before than the other ear.
Sound is louder in the ear facing the sound source than the other ear.
Pinnae - The ridges in one's ears that allow him/her to hear above and below his/herself.
Acoustic Shadow - Sound is crisper in the ear facing the sound source but duller the other ear facing away from the sound source.
Term
What is the speed of electricity?
Definition
186,000 mi/s.
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